Black ants galore and goanna-time

Monday 25th January 2021

We had a wonderful night sleep. No roosters this morning. Woke up at 630am. After a slow morning we packed up the van and left at 930am.

The drive was comfortable between Morisset and Bulahdelah.

We arrived at Bulahdelah Visitors Centre at 11am. We were advised of some local attractions. We had a read about the history. Madeline showed off her dancing skills to the volunteers.

We made our way over to the Bulahdelah Bowling club and checked in for 3 nights.

Bulahdelah – History

The Worimi Tribe occupied an area with the approximate boundaries of the coast from the Hunter River in the south to Forster in the north, across to Gloucester in the northwest and down to Maitland in the southwest.

Mining
The mountain was first recorded by John Oxley a Crown Surveyor in 1818. It was known in those early times as Bulladella Mountain. The northern boundary was for convicts and bonded persons.

From 1897 Bulladella Mountain was recognized as a potential mine site. Mount Alum was found to be the largest deposit of Alunite, in the southern hemisphere.

Today small amounts of the white rock can be found on the bank of the Myall River when the ships were loaded. Mining ceased in 1952.

Timber
In the early 1800’s, a tiny settlement was founded due to timber being found that was suitable for boat building. Tallow wood was used for below the water line and Flooded Gum for above the water line.

Myall River

We drove down to Myall river from our van. We walked along the river edge. We spent some time with a little 10 month old boy, named Brydan, by the river edge.

Myall Shores

We travelled 15km along a dirt corrugated track to Myall Shores. Myall Shores has a barge that takes paying customers across the river. There is a NRMA camping, caravan and cottages on the foreshore.

Black ants galore

Arriving home to cook dinner we found an abundance of black ants in our food cupboards. Despite talcing the contact points they still managed to get in.

We had to strip the cupboards kill some of them and coated cupboard and kick boards with ant rid.

Now to wait until they kill the ants in the nest.

We have used talcum powder on all contact points and ant sand. It’s a waiting game for them all to died.

The joys of adventurous living!!!!